In 1998 we wanted a new bridgport, we had 2 at the time but I wanted a new tight super duper mill. A new Bridgport was 12,999.00 OUCH! it was cast over seas and well I could not stomach it. I ended up with a Chaviler mill. ISO 9001 machine, Sony digital Mag scale read out that reads .0005 or .0002 depending on how you set it. With a power feed on the X the machine came in around 7500.00 The ways are hardened and ground. It has way covers and if you peek under it is Perfect! in 2007. We use it too! Today Bridgport is no longer, they went bankrupt. Harding bought the assets including ones that were in Taiwan, this put to rest the "rumors" that the machine was American.
Today we have Sights coming in from China, Bomar is sadly gone. who will make an adjustable rear sight ASSEMBLY for 35.00 ( and make a profit at that number) I think no one.
Today one of the players is bringing guns slides and frame in from the Philipines, and slides and frames from Korea. Others are Using too.
Today Several brands of magazines are coming in from Italy, 3/4 of one aftermarket seller I know parts are soursed over the pond.
I can call Gary Smith or Amy or Tarah or Seth, I can talk to Scott, i see them support the sports. There frames are soursed from our shores. there machines come from Ca and Ct. there work force wears Flannel shirts and ride motorcycles and shoot and hunt. Regular people is what I take them as.
A bridgport costing 2x as much might be hard to swallow. it was for us.
A frame costing even or 10.00 or 20.00 bucks more? If the part was exactly the same would seem a good thing. I would support them with my dollars because of who they are and what they stand for.
Caspian listens too. there product continue to improve over time. They make them right where they are so it is easy to integrate feedback from Gunsmiths like the ones that frequent here and it shows.
After all the above, I really Like the product. The slides are far straiter than Colt and Springfield (brazil by the way) could ever be in there dreams. The parts are not induction hardened, they are hard throughout.
There is a reason that Caspian is the Industry standard for custom guns, Lots of good reasons.
Great people
Great products.
Great materials sourced here.
machined here. (100% not 80%off a boat)
They stand behind there stuff if it ever comes up (we have Never replaced a Caspian frame and our audiencs shoots much ammo Kemosave)
They support the shooting sports.
I get to vote with my dollar I vote Caspian.
geo
chief bottle washer EGW inc.
www.egw-guns.com